The Holiday Affair: A Match Made In Hell Novel

by KASI, MV

  "What? You didn't get us color coordinated clothes?" she pouted mockingly.

  "Hell, no!" he uttered in a horrified manner, making her laugh.

  Even though he was sweet and romantic, he drew a line when it came to mouthing off flowery compliments or bringing her elaborate gifts. Instead, he dropped by at her work with food, sometimes for her whole team. Her employees were now used to seeing him at the demo area, asking them questions and giving his feedback as a user.

  So far, he had never demanded her to accompany him to any of his work-related events. But when one of her employees told her about an important award function where Rana was nominated in the best actor category, she wanted to be there for him.

  ***

  Forty minutes later, they were dropped by a chauffeur in front of a huge building surrounded by screaming fans. When Srishti saw the number of cameras and people calling out Rana's name, she felt a little nervous. Until Rana's hand squeezed hers in reassurance.

  Not letting go of her hand, he used his free hand to wave at his adoring fans and then blew them kisses before entering a brightly lit hall with hundreds of seats and a large well-decorated stage.

  Rana introduced her to a lot of people who were his co-stars, producers, directors or even simply the family members of the people belonging to the movie industry.

  They watched the show together, but at one point, he had to leave her to present a portion it.

  Watching him on stage, especially the ease with which he communicated or simply joked around, entertaining people, she felt proud of him.

  This was his world and it was quite obvious that he belonged there.

  During the break, when Rana still hadn't returned to the seat, she discovered another surprising fact. That some of the people he had introduced her to were spouses who had a full-time careers outside the movie industry. And they all seemed happy. They even discussed about topics that were not related to the movies.

  She was currently discussing about the new 3D animation features that a creative director was interested to know more about.

  "Well...what a surprise," interrupted a woman's familiar voice.

  The tone of the voice indicated that the surprise was definitely not a pleasant one.

  It was the same woman who had been hounding Rana before, mouthing crap about astrologers, marriages and babies. Over the past few weeks, after the incident outside the RV, Srishti hadn't heard much about her. So she had assumed, that the woman had stopped being delusional. But seeing the sneer on her face, it was obvious she hadn't.

  "Hello, Miss...?" Srishti forgot the woman's name.

  "Sweety Reddy," answered another woman next to her. And then her eyes widened as though in surprise. But Srishti could see that the woman's pupils remained the same. "Oh my god! What a small world. Aren't you Gaurav's ex?" She broke into a brittle laugh. "I'm his fiancée, Pinky Reddy."

  Crap. The woman who had released that damn video claiming that Gaurav had told those disparaging things about his ex-fiancée.

  "Well, congratulations," Srishti told her coolly.

  "Thanks." Then looking at the man Srishti had been talking to, Pinky smiled sweetly. "Can you give us a moment with Srishti? I have something important to discuss with her," she requested.

  "Sure. Catch you later, Srishti. I'll call you next week to set up a brief discussion with my team," the man said.

  "Sure. Anytime, Hari."

  Srishti felt irritated. She had no intention or interest to discuss anything with the two women in front of her. Based on their body language, it was quite obvious that they had deliberately approached her to either warn her off or to cause a scene.

  "So...Srishti. We just wanted to do you a favor and warn you that Rana is a player. He's only using you to make Sweety jealous."

  "Oh?"

  "Yes. They have been together for a while and when she asked him to marry her, he got scared. You know how men are," she laughed.

  "No. I don't. Tell me."

  Pinky shrugged. "Well. Men hate marrying. You must have found it very difficult to get Gaurav to agree to an engagement all those years ago or even agree to fix a date after that."

  "Actually, I was the one being difficult. I felt we were too young and I had certain goals to meet before I could dedicate time towards a relationship. He was the one who insisted we commit formally. He wanted marriage, but I agreed only to an engagement first."

  Pinky's smile froze, and her eyes hardened, but she continued speaking as though she was being very helpful.

  "Men like the chase, Srishti. Once the woman is caught, they lose interest. We don't want you to suffer like the last time. And unlike Gaurav, Rana's quite the playboy."

  Srishti shrugged. "Thanks for the heads-up. But maybe I'm with him because he's quite the playboy. Because you know...to learn how not to be cold and selfish and learn how to please a man," she said helpfully.

  "You need to back off!"snapped Sweety. "You are making a fool out of yourself."

  Srishti looked at her. "I'm not the one doing that," she replied coolly.

  "You are. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? You are fat, you dress so plainly and everyone knows you can't ever please a man like Rana. He would never be with an unexceptional, ordinary woman like you."

  If they had expected her to break down at their insults, they were damn wrong.

  "Maybe you should ask him whether or not I please him. And by the way, calling someone an 'unexceptional, ordinary woman' is redundant. Unexceptional implies ordinary."

  Both the women stared at her blankly.

  "I'm sorry, should I speak slower? Maybe spell out the words for you?"

  Pinky shook her head. "No wonder Gaurav, went running away from you and into my arms," she said, making her cousin Sweety laugh.

  Srishti smiled. "Wow, that was quite witty. Is your brand of humor always like this?"

  Pinky's eyes narrowed. Srishti could tell that both the women were annoyed that their insults weren't bothering her. And they really weren't.

  Sweety puffed out her chest. "How dare you. Do you know who we are—"

  "No. She doesn't," Rana's voice interrupted as he joined Srishti and slid a hand around her waist.

  Sweety's entire demeanor changed and she was dripping sweetness. "Rana. How are you? You were so great on the stage—"

  "Save it," he replied coldly. "I heard most of what you said. Take this as the last warning. If you ever approach me or Srishti, again, I will place a restraining order on you and turn you into a laughingstock within your circle."

  "But I—"

  "Do you understand what I just said?" he asked.

  "Yes."

  And then he looked at Pinky. "Thank your fiancé for me. For not being a man enough to hold on to an exceptional woman who is beautiful, talented and driven."

  With those famous last words, he led Srishti back to their seats.

  "Is it messed up to feel horny when you look this pissed?" Srishti teased.

  He laughed. "No. Seeing you handle those women was equally hot. I can't wait to get home tonight."

  Rest of the evening went on smoothly. And Rana won the best actor award as everyone had expected. He was congratulated by everyone and was told that he deserved it for the realistic way, he played the character of a brilliant, schizophrenic villain who was obsessed with a woman, wreaking havoc in her life. The movie had a tragic ending but apparently everyone including the romantic interest in the movie, sympathized with the villain character.

  ***

  When they both reached his home, Rana couldn't wait to peel off their clothes and fall into the bed.

  As soon as his back hit the mattress, he looked at her in wonder as she sat on top of him.

  "God, Srishti. You are so beautiful."

  That seemed to surprise her. Because he had never spoken out much about his thoughts on her beauty. "Okay," she said with a smile.

  He stroked his hand on her beautiful breasts and then ran over the dip to her wa
ist, and felt the goose bumps break out on her skin.

  "You don't believe me?" he asked as he continued his exploration to her softly rounded hips.

  "Mmm...it's not that I don't believe you. But it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I might be beautiful to you. But in society's eyes and the way we were raised with certain perceptions—"

  "Srishti?" he interrupted her.

  "Mmm?"

  "You are beautiful. That's it. And you'll always be beautiful to me. Now, let's stop talking and get on with the things you promised me this evening."

  She grinned. "One lollipop service, coming right up."

  CHAPTER 26

  Six months into their relationship, they were still going strong. During one of the chats, Rana stared at her with a hungry look.

  "What?" she asked.

  "Did I not tell you before that you can't just put on something like that and expect me to behave when I meet you tonight," he said gruffly.

  "What, the glasses again?"

  "Yes!"

  She grinned. "Well. You'll have to. Because tonight, we are meeting at your parents' house for our monthly dinner, remember?"

  "Shit."

  Srishti began giggling. The sound of her amusement brought warmth to his chest.

  Damn. He really liked her. She was incredible. She was smart and funny. She loved her family...He knew he was falling for her really fast and deep. While she...

  He still didn't know how she felt about him. At that thought he sobered up.

  "What's wrong?" she asked immediately.

  "Nothing," he lied. He was quite sure, she wouldn't be happy with what was running inside his head. She had set the rules and warned him she would only pretend to be with him temporarily.

  If he told her he was in love with her this early in their relationship, she'd run.

  "Are you sure you are okay?" she asked in concern. "You have a worried frown on your face," she said.

  "I'm fine," he said and then told her about his day.

  Later that evening, he met her at his parents' house. And by the time the dinner wrapped up, it was quite late.

  When he went to see her off, he realized how much he missed holding her. He moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her. "I had a great time."

  "Me too." She bit into her lip uncertainly. "I just wish..."

  "You wish what?"

  "I wish we could go back to my place or your place. But I have an early morning conference call at four. So I can't stay up long tonight."

  "Same here. I have to catch a flight to New York at five."

  "So we can't be together tonight," she said with a sigh.

  "Not unless you want to get naughty in one of our cars."

  Her eyes sparkled in intrigue before it gave in to resignation. "Tempting, but I have to leave right away. Early morning call," she said, looking at the time. It was already close to midnight.

  When he went back home, his mother was waiting for him.

  "It's already quite late. Why are you not asleep, Ma?"

  "I wanted to talk to you."

  He knew she wanted to talk to him about Srishti. Maybe, she wanted to know when they would announce a formal engagement date. But she surprised him with her words.

  "Rana, I want to ask you—are you sure Srishti is the woman you want to be with? Not just as a lover—" He winced because he didn't think it was that obvious to his parents or anyone that he and Srishti were intimate. "—but as a friend and a life partner? You need to be certain, because you can't just play with someone's feelings."

  "I am certain, Ma. She is the one. It's just—"

  "What?"

  "I don't know if she wants to be with me."

  "Don't be silly. Anyone with eyes can see that she is totally taken in with you. The way she smiles at you and talks to you. The way defended you, she likes you a lot."

  Rana smiled. Of course his mother thought all women would think themselves to be lucky when it came to being with her only son, who could do no wrong.

  But she also right. When his father spoke about how he was disappointed by him not pursuing being a doctor, Srishti had passionately defended him.

  She had told his father how good an actor he was, and how he had such a huge fan base. And she had also cheekily told his father that with Rana's background as a famous actor; he'd carry more political weight if or when he decides to join politics in the future.

  His father's eyes had brightened considerably with that logic.

  "Maybe, she does like me. But I want her to fall in love with me completely. Like I did with her."

  At that declaration, his mother smiled widely.

  "That she will, son. There is no doubt about that."

  CHAPTER 27

  Srishti began to straighten her desk as she waited for Rana. She was done with her work a little early and they made an impromptu plan for dinner since he was in the city between his shoots.

  Nine months had passed since their fake relationship had begun. But as each day passed, their relationship felt quite real. Sometimes she wondered if she should calm her fears and simply take a plunge and agree to a formal engagement like Rana's and her family wanted.

  But her more practical and rational mind kept nagging at her not to risk it. Both Rana and she had crazy schedules that would not allow them to have a normal family life. Despite how supportive he was until now, she still kept thinking that at some point he would insist that she give up her ambition to settle down as his wife to start a family.

  Even though she was crazy about him, she couldn't give up her dream towards which she had been working really hard.

  "Srishti..." a man's voice called out hesitantly.

  She snapped up her head in shock and saw her ex-fiancé waiting by the office door.

  "Gaurav, what are you doing here?"

  "I came to see you," he said softly.

  She didn't know how to reply to that.

  "I was missing you Srishti, and I wanted to talk to you."

  "Gaurav, I don't think it's a good idea—"

  "Please Srishti. Give me ten minutes and listen to what I have to say," he implored.

  She stared at the man who had been a major part of her life. Not only was he her ex-fiancé, he had also been her close childhood friend, until life got in the way.

  "Fine. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink or eat?" she asked him politely.

  "No. I'm fine," he said, moving towards her.

  He didn't take any of the chairs opposite to her and stood next to her.

  Even though she felt uncomfortable, she stayed put.

  "How are you Gaurav?" she asked him softly.

  "Not good, Srishti. I am miserable without you in my life."

  "Gaurav...we've moved on. We are with other people now. You are engaged to someone else—"

  "I know!" he said in agitation. Then collecting himself. "I know I'm engaged to someone else. And since then, I have been regretting it each and every day."

  She stared at him, not replying.

  He gave her a pained look. "I was happy with her at first, Srishti. Because I thought she was the kind of woman who I thought was ideal to be my wife. Since she had a lot of time to spend with me and my family. But I realized that she is not the kind of woman I could ever respect. She is so petty, and she wastes a lot of time and money in shopping and other vanity stuff. She even surrounds herself with people just like her. I'm so sick of it and I can't take a minute of her anymore!"

  "Gaurav. I don't know what to say. You were the one who broke it off with me and decided to move on—"

  "I know, Srishti. I'm really sorry about that. But we have broken up before too and gotten back together. This time it will be the same."

  "It can never be the same Gaurav," she said softly.

  He held her shoulders. "Why? We love each other still. I want you back!" he said passionately, just as her office door opened.

  When she turned her head to look, she saw Rana stan
ding at the doorway with an unreadable expression on his face.

  Gaurav's hands dropped slowly from her shoulders.

  "Srishti," Rana greeted her quietly, and then got into the office room and closed the door.

  "Hey Rana," she greeted him back, feeling guilty. She didn't know why because she had nothing to be guilty about.

  "This is Gaurav, my childhood friend. And Gaurav, this is Rana, my—"

  "Fiancé," said Rana, moving closer to them, but not bothering to extend his hand to shake Gaurav's hand.

  Gaurav was shocked. "What? You are engaged? That's impossible," he said.

  "And why not?" Rana asked in a deceptively quiet tone.

  Srishti could see Rana's clenched hands and an angry nerve ticking on his head.

  "Because she loves me, and she would never agree to marry anyone else."

  "Oh? Did you think she'd wait for when you asked her to pick between her ambition and you, or while you tied yourself to another woman?" Rana asked.

  "Both," said Gaurav with a brash confidence. "She would pick me no matter what. Because I'm her first love. I'm the one who gave her the first kiss and first everything. We belong together and no other man or woman can ever take away those from us."

  Rana's eyes flared. "You might have been important to her in the past. But I'm her present and the future. I—"

  "Rana," Srishti interrupted him gently. "Can you please give me a few minutes with Gaurav. I need to talk to him, first."

  Gaurav gave Rana a victorious smile, earning a furious look.

  "Take your own time," said Rana in a seething tone and stormed out.

  Srishti wanted to run behind him to stop him, but she knew she had another unfinished business to wrap up first. One thing she and Gaurav hadn't got after their break-up was closure.

  "Gaurav. It's over," she told him in a matter of fact tone, killing the small smile on his face.

  "You can't give up on us for someone like him, Srishti."

  "It's not because of Rana or anyone else. It's purely because of us."

  "What do you mean? If you hadn't made the mistake of committing to him so quickly, you wouldn't be compelled to stay with him."